Analog ghost hidden in 2D random binary patterns for free-space optical data transmission

Abstract We propose high-fidelity analog ghost diffraction and transmission through scattering media in free space using a series of 2D randomly-distributed binary patterns. The proposed method utilizes ghost diffraction to enable high-fidelity free-space optical transmission through scattering media. Any type of ghosts, e.g., analog signal, can be encoded into a series of 2D randomly-distributed binary patterns to serve as information carriers. After the generated 2D randomly-distributed binary patterns are sequentially embedded into spatial light modulator and are illuminated to propagate through scattering media in free space, a single-pixel detector is used to collect light intensity at the receiving end and high-fidelity signals can be retrieved without any complex post-processing algorithm. The proposed method possesses high robustness for high-fidelity free-space optical transmission through scattering media, and different wavelengths and different propagation distances can be flexibly used for free-space optical transmission. The method could open up an avenue towards many applications, e.g., free-space optical data transmission and communication.